Queen of Indian track and field

Pilavullakandi Thekkeparambil Usha(born June 27, 1964), popularly known as P. T. Usha, is an Indian athlete from the state of Kerala. P. T. Usha has been associated with Indian athletics since 1979. She is regarded as one of the greatest athletes India has ever produced and is often called the "queen of Indian track and field".She is nicknamed Payyoli Express. Currently she runs the Usha School of Athletics at Koyilandy in Kerala.

Her Quote:"I feel something is missing in my life if I am not running."

P. T. Usha was born in the village of Payyoli, Kozhikode District, Kerala. In 1976 the Kerala State Government started a Sports School for women, and Usha was chosen to represent her district.

In 1979 she participated in the National School Games, where she was noticed by O. M. Nambiar, who coached her throughout her career. Her debut in the 1980 Moscow Olympics proved lacklustre. In the 1982 New Delhi Asiad, she got silver medal in the 100 m and the 200 m, but at the Asian Track and Field Championship in Kuwait a year later, Usha took gold in the 400 m with a new Asian record . Between 1983-89, Usha garnered 13 golds at ATF meets. She finished first in the semi-finals of the 400 metres hurdles in the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics, but faltered in the finals. In almost a repeat of Milkha Singh's 1960 feat, there was a nail-biting photo finish for the third place. Usha lost the bronze by 1/100th of a second. She became the first Indian woman (and the fifth Indian) to reach the final of an Olympic event by winning her 400 m hurdles Semi-final.

In the 10th Asian Games held at Seoul in 1986, P. T. Usha won 4 gold and 1 silver medal in the track and field events. Here she created new Asian Games records in all the events she participated.She won five golds at the 6th Asian Track and Field Championship at Jakarta in 1985. Her six medals at the same meet is a record for a single athlete in a single international meet.Usha has won 101 international medals so far. She is employed as an officer in the Southern Railways. In 1985, she was conferred the Padma Shri and the Arjuna award.

Usha retired from Athletics and married V.Srinivasan in the year 1991, but to the surprise of everybody she made a sudden comeback in the year 1998 and won Bronze Medals in 200m and 400m races at the Asian Track Federation Meet held at Fukkowakka in Japan. At the age of 34 years, P.T. Usha improved her own timing in 200m race and set a new National Record, which was enough to prove the level of Athletic talent still lying inside her.

World Record:

During the 1985 Asian Track & Field Meet at Jakarta, Indonesia, Usha secured 5 gold medals in the 100, 200, and 400 meter sprints, the 400 meter hurdles, and the 4 x 400 meter relay. She also earned a bronze medal in the 4 x 100 meter relay. This is the current record for most gold medals earned by a female in a single track meet.

First Indian Woman To Swim Across Strait Of Gibraltar

Aarti Pardhan had Inclination towards swimming right since her childhood. Later this interest later turned into a deep passion. Being World record holder, she is eminent sports personnel in Indian swimming. Along with a glorious sports carrier, she is also highly experienced & successful swimming coach. Her Achievements: ARJUNA AWARD 1988 SHIV CHATTRAPATI AWARD – 1988 MAHARASHTRA GAURAV PURASKAR-1990 RAJIV GANDHI PURASKAR-2000 GRAMMY THOMPSON TROPHY awarded by Channel Swimming Association for being the youngest swimmer in the world ...

First Woman President Of Students Union in India

Anju Sachdeva (1989-1990) elected as First Woman President Of Students for unknown student Organisation. The first woman to be elected as the DUSU president was the dynamic Anju Sachdeva who contesting as an independent in 1989 trounced the ABVP, which had refused to give her the ticket. She was genuinely popular but has chosen to keep away from politics for the time being. Many other women presidents later followed such as Monika Kakkar, Shalu Malik, Alka Lamba, Ragini Chopra etc. All are active in their respective parties. The Delhi University Students Union , generally abbreviated DUSU , is the umbrella student organisation at the University of Delhi. DUSU elections are considered most high profile student union elections in country as it provides opportunity to enter directly into national politics . The University of Delhi has a long history of student political activity. DUSU is the representative body of students from most Colleges and Faculties. EachCollege also...

First Indian Deputy Governor Of Reserve Bank Of India

K J Udeshi has been appointed the deputy governor of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI).She is the first woman deputy governor of the RBI. The appointment is till 12 October 2005 when she completes 62 years of age. Joining RBI in 1965, Ms Udeshi rose from the ranks and was appointed as executive director in 2001. She has had a long stint in exchange control and the central bank’s internal administration and human resources departments. Ms Udeshi has been an RBI nominee on the board of State Bank of India (SBI), has been a member of the governing board of the National Institute of Bank Management, the Institute of Banking Personnel Selection, a member on the Governing Council of Institute for Development and Research in Banking Technology and a member on the Apex Committee on Market Awareness, the Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi). She has also been a co-c...

Mee Telugu Ammayi

Search This Blog